NSF X-Labs Initiative - From Sequence to Function
NSF TIP intends to fund written proposals from X-Labs teams working in the bioengineering technical domain on sequence-to-function challenges.
⚑ OTASO/Other Transactions Agreement solicitation rather than a standard grant; eligibility is described only as federal contract applicant restrictions, with no clear applicant-class list in the notice · No set-aside stated · Written proposals only; award ceiling not stated
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 65 good | technical depth: substantial; funds applied research |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
| IPPRA | 33 weak | outside portfolio topics; social/behavioral work is none; funds applied research; eligibility unclear — verify in the NOFO; biomedical core — IPPRA health lane is communication/crisis/policy (capped) |
Description
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) announces its intent to solicit Written Proposals for NSF X-Labs teams in the technical domain of bioengineering. This NSF X-Labs announcement is issued under the Other Transactions Agreement Solutions Offering (OTASO), NSF-OTASO-FY26-XLabsInitiative.
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: No Set aside used. Notice type: Solicitation. Organization: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION / NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION / TIP - CORE PROGRAMS.
Apply
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · National Science Foundation conventions SEE AN NSF EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — National Science Foundation's document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.